Maya did “wonderful” in pro debut

Nationals pitcher Yuneski Maya threw three innings and 30 pitches in a game Friday and did “wonderful considering he hasn’t pitched competitively in quite some time,” according to Williams. Maya allowed no hits, no runs, no walks and struck out one.

“He commanded the ball well and his breaking stuff was good. Maya has good mound presence and the pitches he threw went where he wanted them to go. He did the little things well, fielded his position and showed some mound savvy,” said Williams.

“He competes well and is really a fighter out there on the mound.”

Williams says Maya has average velocity, hitting 88, 89 and 90 MPH with his fastball. He said Maya did very well considering he has pitched only in tryout camps before the Nats signed him. It was Maya’s first game action since late April or early May.

Nationals pitcher Chien-Ming Wang “did fine” in his sideline workout Friday at the team’s Florida facility, according to pitching coordinator Spin Williams. Wang through 25 pitches and is making “pretty good progress” says Williams.

Wang’s recovery from major shoulder surgery 12 and Ã‚Â½-months ago is a day-to-day process according to Williams. “(Wang) will throw five to seven sideline sessions every third or fourth day. He will continue to build arm strength. He has finally started to take off but we are still a long way away.”

Williams says he is very encouraged with what he has seen the last couple of days out of Wang. “He is doing better than expected,” Williams said, considering the length of time it usually takes to get back from this kind of major surgery. He said Wang is reacting well to the rehab and has a “different look on his face” since when they first started the regimen.